According to BMI scales I’m technically obese.
I run at a very slow pace often finishing half marathons just under 3 hours.
I don’t have the body of a runner. I’m big. 5’9”, over 200 lbs, thick.
But, I’m going to run a marathon.
A lot of people might be surprised when they see me and hear me say that.
But, I’m going to do it.
I’ve been struggling with my training.
Fighting with my body.
How heavy and slow I feel.
I’ve slowly increased my mileage and it hasn’t been fun.
It’s been more like a job.
It’s been difficult.
I guess it’s true what the sign at my last half marathon said, “If it were easy, everyone would do it”
But, I’ve been beating myself up.
I want so much from my running.
I want a better body.
I want better stamina.
I want to be faster.
I want to have joy.
And last weekend, lo and behold, in the midst of 20 long miles, I found it part of it…
JOY!
PURE.UNADULTERATED. JOY.
Joy is the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. (dictionary.com)
I know that part of this is the endorphins, but it was how I remember feeling after that first 5K, the first 10K, the first (okay maybe second) half marathon.
Like I did something special.
Like I accomplished something.
Like I was a success.
And I was happy.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m generally a happy person.
But if I could bottle how I felt in the days after my 20 mile training run, I would give it away.
To everyone.
If the way I felt on Sunday afternoon is indicative of anything, you can best bet I will be running longer distances.
Because I’m no longer chasing a thinner, faster me… I’m chasing that JOY.
It’s addictive. The thin and fast will be collateral, but the JOY is what I want.
I’m stRUNg out on it.
